Feedback on Chair Chi Sessions for Residents

At our recent Diversional Therapist network meeting Chair Chi was the first of the three major improvements we noticed. Residents happy to attend when they know it's Chair Chi. They can feel the benefit afterwards.

On behalf of the residents of Gardenia and Willow, here at Bupa Donvale, we would like to say how much we enjoy having you visit with us and providing the great Tai Chi classes. Our residents tell us how much they enjoy your sessions and we the staff can see their keen interest and the benefit these classes bring to them. They love the fact that they can remain seated and that is of great benefit to our wheelchair bound residents.

We found that Chair Chi provides our residents with a chance of gentle exercise and relaxation which they look forward to on a regular basis. We notice they appear more relaxed after the session, more socially active as they chat amongst each other.

Chair Chi is a great success at St. John’s Park Hostel, with at least 10 residents participating per session. Our residents continue to talk about the sessions happily afterwards. Our residents have said that they are keen for this activity to continue as part of St. John’s leisure program, as they say they are more relaxed following the session.

Chair Chi is something everybody can do. Chris is great with the residents, explaining the exercises and the benefits well. The great thing about Chair Chi is it is low impact (exercise) in a chair. It is great for all residents but even those that have mobility problems can participate actively. It has the biggest turnout out of all our exercise classes. They enjoy it and return.

Thank you for a wonderful afternoon. The residents and staff thoroughly enjoyed your delivery of Chair Chi and would love to have you back again. Your attitude towards the residents was impressive and you interacted with them brilliantly, they responded and participated well and definitely benefited from you. Once again thank you Chris and I will certainly recommend you to other facilities.

First time I joined in with the residents I felt so relaxed afterwards - that's all you think about at that time, that is where your focus is, you just put all your other thoughts aside. Your feel very refreshed afterwards! It gives another slant on exercises we do, different, good to have that variety. I don't have to ask the residents twice to attend Chair Chi because they really enjoy it, they feel good every time. Overall they look forward to it and that's a bonus. When I say Chair Chi, residents say make sure I come down. ...... just came out of hospital and it's a good way for him to keep up with exercises that are achievable ...... a highlight of her week and she says how much it helps her whole attitude.

All levels were catered for – even the basic (us!) . Very clear instructions. All our unusual questions were answered. We felt very good afterwards and will continue to follow his 5 minute a day plan. Chris gave us a very good insight to Tai chi.